The Judicial Merit Selection Commission began meeting last week to vet judges for seats around South Carolina, marking the bi-annual migration of judicial candidates to the State House. That’s where the problem lies: would-be judges are kowtowing to lawmakers again.
On the road to a state judgeship, the first stop is a vetting at the JMSC, a panel composed of six legislators and four other citizens appointed by legislators. It’s the same commission where former House Speaker Bobby Harrell placed his brother.

I would like to address your Nov. 20 article “No marauding motorcyclists at Christmas parade.”
Please indulge me as I would like to begin this letter to the editor by telling you a little about who I am and what I stand for.
I am a devout Christian and a committed husband of nearly 18 years. I am a father of three who leads his family by example, not just in word. I am a U.S. Army combat veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom Phase I.

KERSHAW – Former Gamecocks quarterback Dylan Thompson will lead the 2016 Kershaw Christmas Parade as grand marshal on Sunday.
The parade, with more than 50 entries, starts at 3 p.m. on Hampton Street downtown.
This is a first for Thompson.
“It’s really cool and something I’ve never done before,” Thompson said. “I’m excited. I get to meet some new people, make some new friends and have a good time being around them.”

Dick Gannaway, who spent two decades leading this newspaper and the precursor to USC Lancaster, has died after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was 89.
Dr. Gannaway died in his sleep Sunday in Nashville, family members said.
Gannaway’s career leading two of Lancaster’s best-known institutions was an unusual bridging of academia and journalism. He was director from 1972-77 of what was then known as the University of South Carolina extension, followed by a 13-year stint as publisher of The Lancaster News.

It has been a busy two weeks of bad news at Kershaw Correctional Institution.
A guard and her husband were arrested Tuesday for conspiring to smuggle contraband into the prison following an investigation by the S.C. Department of Corrections and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office.
A week earlier, an inmate at KCI was stabbed by another inmate. He is recovering.

President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
“Gov. Haley has a proven track record of bringing people together regardless of background or party affiliation to move critical policies forward for the betterment of her state and our country,” Trump said. “She will be a great leader representing us on the world stage.”
Haley, 44, is the first woman and first minority appointed for a cabinet-level position in Trump’s administration.

Lancaster drivers braved a cold and windy night at Friendship Motor Speedway in Elkin, N.C., to produce a strong showing in their divisions Saturday night.
In the Extreme 4/U-Car Division, Brad McManus won his heat race.
David Laney finished near the rear after fighting an ill-handling car and Tommy McManus finished near the front in his heat race.
In the main event, McManus took the early lead, while his brother Tommy pulled in the pits with a broke axle.

Lancaster High School senior linebacker Desmond Ricks has given S.C. State University a commitment to sign with the Bulldogs.
The NCAA national signing day for football is Feb. 1, 2017. Verbal pledges are non-binding to the school.
Ricks, a three-year member of the LHS varsity, was a two-year starter for the Bruins.
Ricks, for the Bruins’ 5-6 season under third-year head coach Bobby Collins, notched 88 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, two blocked passes, a fumble recovery and blocked extra point.

The Lancaster Bruins completed a stellar run to the championship in the annual Buford High Preseason basketball tournament with a 62-46 win over Fairfield Central High on Monday night.
LHS senior Nehemiah McGriff, the recent Limestone College signee, paced the Bruins with 26, 18 in the first half.
Lancaster, which went 3-0 in the three-day tourney, built a 40-19 lead at the break and cruised to the 16-point win over the Griffins.
LHS held a 51-31 edge after three periods.
McGriff, in three tourney games, had 75 points to lead the LHS cause.